Interview with Kings’ newest goalie, Patrik Bartosak

In the Dean Lombardi era, the Los Angeles Kings have become known as one of the better teams at drafting in the later rounds. Players like Alec Martinez, Dwight King, and Jordan Nolan were all drafted in the 4th round or later and helped the team raise its first Stanley Cup back in franchise history.

Goaltender Patrik Bartosak now looks to continue this trend for the Kings. After being passed over in the 2012 draft, he went on to become the CHL Goalie of the Year the following season. Los Angeles then selected him in the 5th round (146th overall) last June, and after another solid campaign for the Red Deer Rebels this season, Lombardi recently signed him to a three-year Entry Level Contract.

Last week, his team lost a WHL playoff tie-breaker game to the Prince Albert Raiders, ending Bartosak and his team’s season. In the interview below, the 20-year old netminder spoke with MayorsManor correspondent Andy Tonge about his recent assignment to Manchester and much more…

On the end of his season in Red Deer:

“Well obviously it wasn’t easy, you know, to lose the tie breaking game at home. But like I said, it wasn’t as good as good as we expected it to be and it was disappointing, but I guess its time to move on. Can’t really think about it too much”

On his expectations going forward in professional hockey:

“This is like the first days of professional hockey for me, so I’m just going to get as much as I can from this and try as hard as I can to get some games and we’ll see. We’ll go from there.”

On if the Kings have told him their plans going forward with him:

“Nothing at all. I’m sure its all about me. If I’m good enough, if they think I’m good enough to play, they’ll put me in there. If they don’t think I’m good enough, then I’ll have to work harder and get better and we’ll see what happens.”

On being a late round pick and signing a professional contract a year later:

“Absolutely, it was surprising to me that they offered the contract, but I was happy at the same time. The Kings (are) a great organization and I couldn’t be happier.”

On if it adds anything to join an organization finding success at the NHL and AHL level:

“Absolutely. Back in Red Deer, we weren’t really a winning organization too much, so I’m definitely going to enjoy staying here or wherever I am.”

On his relationship with Monarchs goalie JF Berube:

“I would like to think it’s great. I don’t know where it is in his standpoint, but I think we’ll be friends and we get along very well.”

Berube, on his thoughts on Bartosak:

“He’s a really competitive guy. He likes to kind of challenge you, so we’ve been going back and forth a little bit. He’s a really good guy. I mean, its always good to have someone around like that. We both respect each other, and you know, it’s fun to have, like I said, a guy like him around.”

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